📘 What Is Hwaseong Fortress?
A Planned City Embodying King Jeongjo’s Vision
Hwaseong Fortress is one of Suwon’s most iconic cultural heritage sites. It was part of a grand urban project personally initiated by King Jeongjo, the 22nd monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. His goals were to honor his late father, Crown Prince Sado, by relocating his tomb, and to build an ideal administrative city.
King Jeongjo chose Suwon as the new site for this vision and visited the area 13 times over the span of 11 years to oversee its development. He planned to construct a palace at the foot of Paldalsan Mountain and to draw new residents into the area.
One of his ambitions was to relocate the licensed merchants from Seoul’s markets to Suwon. However, this plan was blocked by strong opposition from the dominant Noron political faction. Ultimately, around 700 households settled in the area near Paldalsan, and they were granted a ten-year exemption from taxes to encourage their relocation.
King Jeongjo had even planned to abdicate the throne to his son, King Sunjo, and live in Suwon as the retired king. His vision was to turn Suwon into the greatest military and commercial city of Joseon. Sadly, his untimely death meant that this dream was never fully realized.
Unique Features of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
King Jeongjo had a clear philosophy when he planned the construction of Hwaseong Fortress. He personally envisioned the structure and functionality of the new city.
Suwon Hwaseong was designed as a “pyeongsanseong”—a fusion of a flatland fortress (pyeongjiseong) and a mountain fortress (sanseong). Traditional flatland fortresses allowed large populations to reside within but were vulnerable to attacks, while mountain fortresses offered excellent defense but were not suitable for everyday living. King Jeongjo sought to combine the strengths of both to create a new, balanced urban form.
Bricks were used extensively in the construction of the fortress walls, and defensive outworks (ongseong) were placed in front of the gates to enhance protection. Reflecting his belief that “beauty can overcome enemies,” King Jeongjo incorporated aesthetic elegance into the very structure of the fortress.
The design was entrusted to Jeong Yak-yong, one of the most prominent Silhak (practical learning) scholars of the late Joseon Dynasty. Drawing on traditional Korean fortress-building techniques and referencing Western urban planning texts introduced via China, he created a city plan that emphasized functionality, order, and rational design.
Although the construction was initially estimated to take five to ten years, the project was completed in just two years and eight months, thanks in part to Jeong Yak-yong’s invention of devices like the geojunggi (a type of crane). Within the fortress, military, administrative, and residential facilities were laid out in a harmonious and efficient manner.
Suwon Hwaseong is now recognized as a significant example of late Joseon-era urban planning.
The King’s Compassion Shown in Construction
The construction of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was more than just a civil engineering project. Over 600 rooms were built within the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and the thatched-roof homes of relocated residents were upgraded to tiled houses with government support.
Rather than forcing labor, workers were hired and paid daily wages. Injured laborers received medical treatment, and fur hats were distributed during winter to protect them from the cold.
At that time, fur hats were reserved for only the highest-ranking officials, so King Jeongjo’s decision to provide them to common laborers was seen as remarkably generous. Despite strong opposition from the powerful Noron faction, the king prioritized the well-being of his people above all else.
💡 Helpful Tips Before Visiting Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Visitor Tips
- On the last Wednesday of every month, admission is free for Culture Day.
- Free entry is available for visitors wearing traditional Korean hanbok.
- Depending on the weather, it’s recommended to bring sunscreen, a hat, and other sun protection.
- For a full walking tour of the fortress, follow this route: Janganmun → Hwaseomun → Paldalmun → Changnyongmun. This loop allows you to enjoy the entire view of the fortress.
- The best photo spot is Seojangdae (West Command Post). From here, you can capture both the fortress walls and the downtown skyline.
Available for download on the official Suwon Hwaseong website.
https://www.visitsuwon.or.kr/
Visitor Information
📍320-2, Yeonghwa-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si (경기 수원시 장안구 영화동 320-2)
📞 031-290-3600
🕘 09:00~18:00 (Open year-round)
🎫 Integrated Ticket (includes Hwaseong Haenggung, Suwon Museum, Suwon Hwaseong Museum) Adults: 4,000 KRW / Free admission when wearing a hanbok
🌐 www.swcf.or.kr
Transportation Information
Based on Hwaseong Haenggung (Jeongjo-ro 825, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do)
🅿️ Parking Information
- Hwaseong Haenggung Parking Lot
Haenggung-ro 18 (Namchang-dong 68-5), Paldal-gu, Suwon
📞 Tel. 031-290-3636
- Yeonmudae Parking Lot
Maehyang-dong 3-17, Paldal-gu, Suwon
📞 Tel. 031-290-3636
🚌 Public Transportation
- From Seoul
🚇Sadang Station (Gate No. 4)
→ Take bus No. 7770 and get off at Jangan Park Bus Stop
⏱ Approx. 40 minutes
🚇Jamsil Station (Jamsil Transfer Center)
→ Take bus No. 1007 and get off at Hwaseong Haenggung / Yeomingak Bus Stop
⏱ Approx. 70 minutes
🚇Gangnam Station (Gangnam Station Nara Building)
→ Take bus No. 3000 and get off at Paldalmun / Suwon Paik Hospital
⏱ Approx. 60 minutes
- From Suwon Station🚇 (Line 1)
Gate No. 4 → Bus No. 11 or 13 ⏱ Approx. 15 minutes
Gate No. 7 → Bus No. 60, 66, 66-4, 7-2 ⏱ Approx. 15 minutes
Gate No. 9 → Bus No. 11, 13, 35, 46, 400 ⏱ Approx. 15 minutes
- From Suwon Bus Terminal🚌
→ Take Bus No. 64 or 112
⏱ Approx. 40 minutes
📷 Popular Travel Spot at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion
Located at the northeastern corner of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, this beautiful pavilion (gakru) is one of the most popular picnic spots in Suwon. Several nearby shops offer picnic gear rentals, making it a convenient destination. The scenic view blending the pavilion with Yongyeon Pond presents a different charm in every season. Occasionally, you might even spot herons or ducks around the area. The night view is stunning, making it a great place to visit even after sunset.
🅿️ Parking: Use Maehyang Middle School parking lot or Yeonmu-dong Public Parking Lot
💰 Public Parking Fee: First 60 minutes free, then 300 KRW per 10 minutes
Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
At the heart of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress stands Hwaseong Haenggung, the largest of all temporary royal palaces (haenggung) in Korea. A haenggung was used as a temporary residence for the king when traveling to regions outside the capital.
King Jeongjo stayed at Hwaseong Haenggung whenever he visited Suwon to pay tribute at his father’s tomb. When not in use by the king, the palace served as a government office and venue for various public events, including civil service examinations.
📌 The functions of a haenggung can be broadly divided into three categories:
· Emergency haenggung for wartime or political crisis: Ganghwa, Uiju, Namhansanseong Haenggung
· Spa and relaxation haenggung for royal retreats: Onyang Haenggung
· Tomb visit haenggung used for ancestral rites: Hwaseong Haenggung
King Jeongjo had plans to abdicate the throne to his son, Sunjo, when he turned 15 and retire to Suwon, where he would live as the “Sangwang” (Retired King) accompanied by his royal guard, the Jangyongyeong. However, he passed away unexpectedly before this dream could be fulfilled. The room where he intended to reside still remains quietly preserved within Hwaseong Haenggung today.
📞 031-290-3600
🕘 9:00~18:00 (Last entry at 17:00)
🌙 Night Opening (May–October) 18:00–21:30 (Last entry at 21:00), every Friday to Sunday (including public holidays)
※ Schedule is subject to change depending on foundation policy.
🔗 Check official night opening details online.
💰 Adults 2,000 KRW / Teenagers 1,500 KRW / Children 1,000 KRW (‘Culture Day’ Free Admission)
🅿️ Hwaseong Haenggung Parking Lot 900 KRW for the first 30 minutes, 400 KRW per additional 10 minutes, maximum 14,000 KRW per day
Martial Arts Performance – Muye 24-ki
This performance reenacts the 24 traditional martial arts documented in “Muyedobotongji”, a martial arts manual compiled during the reign of King Jeongjo of Joseon. Based on historical military training, the demonstration includes archery, sword dance, spear techniques, and more.
The performances take place twice a day, Tuesday through Sunday, in front of Sinpungnu Pavilion. Free admission for all visitors.
📞 031-267-16447
🕘 Tue–Sun 11:00
🕘 Sat & Sun 14:00
🚫 Closed on Mondays
Suwon Hwaseong Museum
This museum is highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of Hwaseong Fortress. It provides a well-organized overview of the fortress’s construction process, King Jeongjo’s royal procession to Hwaseong, and the elite royal guard unit, Jangyongyeong. A variety of informative exhibits and materials are available.
📍 49, Maehyang-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 수원시 팔달구 매향동 49)
🕘 9:00 ~ 18:00 (Last admission: 17:00)
🚫 Closed on Mondays
💰 Adults: 2,000 KRW / Free for children under 7
🅿️ 300 KRW for every additional 10 minutes
Suwon Ipark Museum of Art
수원 최초의 시립 미술관입니다. 지역 작가의 작품부터 국내외 현대미술까지 폭넓게 소개합니다. 도시 경관과 어우러지는 건축도 주목할 만합니다.
📍 833, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 수원시 팔달구 정조로 833)
📞 031-228-3800
🕙 Winter Season (Nov–Feb): 10:00–18:00
🕙 Summer Season (Mar–Oct): 10:00–19:00
🚫 Closed on Mondays
💰 Adults: 4,000 KRW
🅿️ 1,000 KRW for the first 30 minutes / 1,500 KRW for every additional 10 minutes
Suwon Café Alley (Haengnidan-gil)
This charming alley is lined with cafés, restaurants, and lifestyle shops housed in renovated traditional buildings. It stretches between Hwaseong Haenggung and Janganmun, connecting to the famous Na Hye-seok Mural Alley. A must-visit hotspot in Suwon, the area is filled with artistic murals and aesthetically pleasing architecture, making it a popular photo zone for visitors.
📍 43, Hwaseomun-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 수원시 팔달구 화서문로 43)
🚗 Use the Hwaseong Haenggung Public Parking Lot or Suwon City Seonggyeong Library Parking Lot
🅿️ 600 KRW for the first 30 minutes / 300 KRW per additional 10 minutes
🗺️ Recommended Route
Hwaseong Fortress Perimeter Trekking Course
The full fortress wall trail follows this route:
Janganmun – Hwaseomun – Seojangdae – Paldalmun – Hwahongmun – Janganmun
This loop forms the main walking course around Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. The fortress wall stretches approximately 5.7 km and includes around 40 structures and facilities along the way. As it is a circular trail, you can begin your walk from any point on the route.
Suwon Hwaseong Travel Itinerary
🟦 Half-Day Tour Course
Experience the Essence of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
🟩 1-Day Tour Course
Enjoy Yourself at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Satisfying All Five Senses
🩷 Overnight Tour Course
Unwind and Explore at Your Own Pace
👟 Walking Along the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Wall – My Honest Experience
When I first arrived at Suwon Hwaseong, I wasn’t quite sure where to begin. I had browsed some travel blogs and even checked out the official website, but everything still felt a bit overwhelming.
So I decided to take it easy and just loosely follow a route: starting with the fortress wall, then heading to Hwaseong Haenggung, and finally visiting the museum. Honestly, one visit isn’t enough to take it all in. I’m already planning to come back and explore it more thoroughly next time.
I parked at the Yeonmudae parking lot and walked toward the visible section of the wall. I did consider visiting each landmark shown on the map, but more than anything, I just wanted to take in the atmosphere first.
I walked along the thick, solid walls that stretched ahead with quiet strength. What struck me the most was how naturally the centuries-old structure blended into the modern surroundings — it felt both grounding and comforting. The snow-covered ground, the stone walls, and the peaceful mood created a breathtaking scene. I now understand why this place is often called the most beautiful fortress wall in Korea.
There wasn’t much shade, so I kept thinking how unbearable this walk would be under the blazing summer sun. I felt thankful for the crisp, cool weather and decided to save the full trek for another day.
It’s hard to believe that this extensive wall was completed in just 2 years and 8 months. The skill and determination of those who built it truly deserve a round of applause 👏!
